Many people think this is a good idea, I think its still treason. WHY should we think the Russians will tell us the truth? Wouldn't this help them with a surprise attack? Secure phone lines are one thing (good) --- outlining our strategic defense plans is another (bad).

More scary stuff for the new year:

*******

Sept. 23 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE - Inside a nondescript building Wednesday, several U.S. Air Force officers, in a situation that would have constituted treason 20 years ago, outlined America's strategic defense plans for nine Russian colonels.

But times - and the relationship between Cold War enemies - have changed.

The delegation of Russian military officers is spending five days at the Colorado Springs Air Force base, negotiating a joint effort that will see the Russian and American militaries united in battle against unforeseen Y2K computer glitches. Both countries use computerized missile-detection technology, and this first-time collaboration assures clear and constant communication between the two countries should computer systems shut down or wrongly detect or launch warheads.

On Wednesday at the Center for Year 2000 Strategic Stability at Peterson, the nine Russian officers quietly negotiated the terms of the collaboration as they familiarized themselves with American computer systems that can detect a missile launch. Colorful computer-screen maps running from ceiling to floor alternated between Eastern Europe, Africa, the North Atlantic, North America and the Balkans. A secure telephone line in the room is connected directly to Russia.

"This center was established so the world understands that the world's two superpowers are in constant communication as we enter the year 2000,'' said Maj. Perry Nouis of the U.S. Air Force Base Command. "Should something arise, and we don't expect it to, . . . this center will maintain a secure, reliable communication system between . . . the two countries.''

Two weeks ago, Defense Secretary William Cohen and Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev agreed on Peterson, in Colorado Springs, as the site for the collaboration because of its proximity to Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center.

Seven types of information will be shared with the 18 to 20 Russian officers who will stay on the base from mid-December to mid-January. In the worst-case event of an accidental missile launch, Russians and Americans, sitting side by side, will share these important facts:

Launch locations, including precise, satellite-confirmed longitudes and latitudes.

The exact time of the launch.

The number of missiles launched.

Satellite-confirmed trajectories of missiles.

The type of missiles launched.

The destination of the airborne missile.

The projected time of impact. U.S. officials have downplayed the possibility that the "millennium bug'' could trigger an accidental missile launch, but the possibility of either Russian or American satellites generating false data is conceivable.

The United States has led the world in Y2K compliance, but officials on Wednesday declined to comment on the extent of Russia's work to deter the Y2K computer bug. The Russian officers also declined to comment.

"It would certainly be difficult for any country to match our stringent Y2K compliance,'' Nouis said.

This year's joint effort, as well as the new Center for Year 2000 Strategic Stability, will also serve as a launching point for the creation of a permanent early warning center in Moscow to be staffed by Americans and Russians.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), September 24, 1999

Answers

Sounds like we would absorb a first launch. Then write it off as an accident? I'm sorry but there is a BIG difference between accidental bombing the Chinese Embassy and a nuclear attack.

-- The Count of Meijer Crisco (40@cansof.course), September 24, 1999.

I would imagine the generals will be keeping a card or two up their sleeves...

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), September 24, 1999.

It's nice to know they'll be watching on colorful computer maps as we're all incinerated. We could have had a missile defense system in place by now, but the rapist, in his wisdom, decided that that would be warmongering. Got potassium iodide?

-- Tom Knepper (thomas_knepper@intuit.com), September 24, 1999.

The report I saw stated we would let them have access to our unclassified systems. I have no idea what that would tell them.

The thing that bugged me about this article: "wrongly detect or launch warheads". Y2K failures will not launch warheads. See how the stupid remarks about Y2K never die? I blame the doomers for perpetuating these legends.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 24, 1999.

Count, you are ordered to appear before the immigration authorities over on the Nyquist thread after you are done eating your bisquits.

Maria, you are the Queen of Trolls ........and I blame you for the sleepiness of America towards the Russian threat. Other than that, how's things?

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), September 24, 1999.

Tom Carey, ....we can only hope you are right.

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), September 24, 1999.

Jon, did I miss a link for your information?

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), September 24, 1999.

Oh I get it BB. You're doing your best to wake up this sleeping America. Congrats! Great job! You only need a little more substance and less hot air. Think you can do that? Like I told you before I forgot more about Russia than you'll ever know.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), September 24, 1999.

While this certainly looks odd, what's the alternative? The Russians are historically a pretty paranoid bunch--partly for good reason. They are used to being attacked by so-called friends. They see America as the next big World Empire whose power needs to be contained or at least kept in check. A lot of their defence planners still think that the US would WANT to blow the Russians to smithereens in a first strike. Anything we can do to reassure them that we are not attackign them when their DEW fails would be good.

Naysayers would tell me that it's really the other way around, but at this point we need to be as safe as possible with the Red Button. I want to be drinking champagne on New Years, not fumbling around blind and burned, chunks of charred flesh oozing off my bones.

-- coprolith (coprolith@rocketship.com), September 24, 1999.

Nice try Queenie. :-) But I'm eating your bread as you shrivel into the same you know about Russia......nothing. Do you watch football?

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), September 24, 1999.

ABILITY OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT QUESTIONED September 22, 1999 Associated Press "President Boris Yeltsin cannot perform his duties because of health problems and should consider stepping down before his term expires next year, Moscow's mayor said today. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov used to be allied with Yeltsin, but the two have become openly antagonistic over the past year. Luzhkov spoke in Vienna, Austria, where he was meeting with businessmen and politicians, and his remarks were reported by the Interfax news agency. Yeltsin cannot effectively fulfill his duties, primarily due to the state of his health,' Luzhkov was quoted as saying. The Russian media have speculated that Yeltsin may resign, but the president has insisted that he will serve until his term ends next summer. Luzhkov said he had no presidential ambitions and would try to convince his ally, former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, to run for the job. Luzhkov and Primakov recently formed a political alliance, and both are considered strong potential candidates in Russia's presidential election. However, neither has declared his candidacy. Many political analysts believe that one -- but not both -- will enter the race..." ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Same old ? who is in control over there?

-- The Count of Meijer Crisco (40@cansof.course), September 24, 1999.

I can't find it know but I saw a story Headline about this Bank of NY scandal going all the way up to Yeltsen. Maybe TPTB are trying to get Boris out and our guy (?) in.

-- The Count of Meijer Crisco (40@cansof.course), September 24, 1999.

BB that other thread got so long I wanted to say this to you with hopes of you reading it.

About those witches looks like we need to "out pray" them. Know what I mean? Maybe you should put together some kind of OT post about it? There are alot of God-fearing walking talking Bible people here. It couldn't hurt.

Just a thought.

-- The Count of Meijer Crisco (40@cansof.course), September 24, 1999.